CUBANE

• Cubane (C8H8) is a synthetic hydrocarbon molecule that consists of eight carbon atoms arranged at the corners of a cube, with one hydrogen atom attached to each carbon atom.

• A solid crystalline substance, cubane is one of the Platonic hydrocarbons.

• It was first synthesized in 1964 by Philip Eaton

• Once formed, cubane is quite kinetically stable, due to a lack of readily available decomposition paths.

Properties of cubane and its derivatives

1. The 90-degree bonding angle of the carbon atoms in cubane means that the bonds are highly strained. Highly reactive so useful in high density high energy fuels and explosives.